Robert C. Beatty

Thursday Nov. 19, 1919, a baby boy started his journey on this Earth with his parents, Eugene and Mary Williams Beatty of Spartanburg, S.C. He was the youngest of six boys, Kindness, (Rev.) Eugene Beatty, Alexander, Bonnie, and Lee (all deceased).

The grandson of a slave and his grandmother, a white woman, the baby boy was given the name Robert Charles Nathaniel Beatty. R. C, as he preferred to be called, grew up in Charlotte, N.C., where he completed elementary and high school. After graduation he was drafted to serve in the then segregated U.S. Army during World War II. After 13 days of training he was shipped off by boat to serve tours in France, Belgium, Holland, Finland, Germany, and the Philippines. He was awarded several medals including the European Medal with three bronze stars.

During R.C’s life he worked at various jobs: commercial photography, soldier, child welfare caseworker, elementary teacher, coach, principal, teacher corps instructor, and for 30 years for the U.S. Government of Indian Affairs in Arizona at Fort Apache and Leupp Boarding Schools. While at Fort Apache he was influential in the building of the ski lift in the White Mountains. He concluded his last three years of service as administrator for the U.S. Geological Survey in Flagstaff, Ariz. While in these various positions he was given many accolades, both spoken and tangible.

Some firsts in R.C. Beatty’s lifetime included: first African American to serve as President of the Arizona Federation of Federal Employees; First District Chaplain of the Arizona District Affiliate of Civitan International; First African American to be selected to the Flagstaff Civitan Club. It was during R.C. Beatty’s presidency, that then Arizona Governor Ruth Moffit, presented the Club of the Year for Arizona to the Flagstaff Civitan Club for their outstanding work for the community.

As varied, interesting, and rewarding those positions were, “nothing” was more fulfilling, rewarding, and satisfying to him as his call to the Gospel ministry in 1946. His preparation to become a minister included education. He received a bachelor of arts from Bishop College in Texas; bachelor of divinity from American Baptist Theological Seminary in Tenn.; and a master’s degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. He also received an honorary doctorate from the Theological Center Inter-religious Schools in Houston, Texas. He was ordained at St. John Baptist Church in Oklahoma, City, Okla.

In 1970 he was united in marriage to Dianna Hartman. His teaching, preaching, and pastoring, was widely recognized and allowed him to hold various positions in the state of Arizona and at the national level as well.

On the national level he served as a board member for the National Baptist Convention. In 1999 he received a plaque honoring him for over 50 years of pastoring from the president of National Baptist Convention, Inc.

He served as president of the Paradise Baptist Convention of Arizona, Inc., as well as being president of the Congress of Christian Education. Rev. Beatty served as pastor of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, located in Winslow, Ariz. for more than 20 years and served two terms as district moderator for the Northern District Association. While serving as pastor of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, located in Sierra Vista, from 1989 to 2010, he accomplished the feat of building a new multi-purpose building that is being utilized today. At the time of his death he was the proud Pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Sierra Vista.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 45 years, Dianna Beatty; his daughter, Colette; and sons, Nathaniel (Angela) of San Antonio, Texas, Timothy (Angela) of Phoenix, Charles of Gary, Ind.; five grandchildren; three cousins and a host of Christian friends.

Contributions can be made to Mount Carmel Baptist Church 1048C Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista, AZ, 85635, or to the Paradise Missionary Baptist State Convention of Arizona Inc., Attn: Mildred Ellis at 7126 E. 30th St. Tucson, Ariz. 85710.